ASTA lnc https://astams.com/eng Leading Global Bio·IT Company <![CDATA[[2025] Genome diversity, population structure and MALDI-TOF MS profiling of Aspergillus oryzae/flavus strains ...]]> https://bmcgenomics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12864-025-11596-9 Date : 2025.04 Title : Genome diversity, population structure and MALDI-TOF MS profiling of Aspergillus oryzae/flavus strains from fermentation and wild environments Dong-Hyun Kim, Dong-Chan Kim, Donggun Seo, Ki-Tae Kim, Sang-Han Lee & Seung-Beom Hong Abstract Various strains of Aspergillus oryzae, regarded as a domesticated variant of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus, are utilized in the soybean fermentation industry of Korea. This study compared A. oryzae/flavus strains isolated from various environments in Korea including industrial settings, Meju (brick of dried fermented soybeans), and wild conditions with globally reported strains using genomic analysis to determine their taxonomic positions and risk of mycotoxicity. Using population genomics, five distinct groups (A to E) were identified, with all aflatoxigenic Korean strains in Group C and non-aflatoxigenic Korean strains in Groups A, B, and E. Korean strains from Meju and wild conditions are distributed across Groups A and B, and most of the Korean industrial strains form a sub-cluster with Japanese industrial strains in Group A. Comparing secondary metabolite gene cluster mutation pattern, three gene clusters (Aflatoxin, Cyclopiazonic acid and Ditryptophenaline) were revealed as group specific ones. In aflatoxin and cyclopiazonic acid clusters, most of the Group C strains had intact regions compared to strains in other groups. Since most of the Group C strains produce aflatoxin and have intact Aflatoxin and Cyclopiazonic acid gene clusters, we considered that this group represent A. flavus. Profiling using MALDI-TOF MS analysis also distinguished Group C from Groups A, B and E by specific three proteomic peaks. Among the three peaks, those around 12,700 to 12,900 m/z (Da) are expected to correspond to AflF (nor B), an enzyme involved in Aflatoxin metabolism. These results showed taxonomic positions of Korean strains of A. oryzae/flavus from various environments and also showed possibility to differentiate between A. oryzae and A. flavus with genome and MALDI-TOF MS analysis.]]> Mon, 14 Apr 2025 02:57:01 +0000 <![CDATA[[2025] The First Korean Case of MAN1B1-Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation Diagnosed Using Whole-Exome Sequencing and ...]]> https://www.annlabmed.org/journal/view.html?uid=3595&vmd=Full Date : 2025.01 Title : The First Korean Case of MAN1B1-Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation Diagnosed Using Whole-Exome Sequencing and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Kyoung Bo Kim , M.D.1, Gi Su Lee , M.D.2, Soyoung Shin , Ph.D.3, Dong-Chan Kim , Ph.D.4, Donggun Seo , B.S.P.H.4, Hyeongjin Kweon , B.S.4, Hyein Kang , M.D1, Sunggyun Park , M.D.1, Do-Hoon Kim , Ph.D.1, Namhee Ryoo , Ph.D.1, Soyoung No Abstract]]> Tue, 14 Jan 2025 02:56:19 +0000 <![CDATA[[2024] Clinical Evaluation of VITEK MS PRIME with PICKME Pen for Bacteria and Yeasts, and RUO Database for Filamentous Fungi]]> https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050964 Date : 2024.04 Title : Clinical Evaluation of VITEK MS PRIME with PICKME Pen for Bacteria and Yeasts, and RUO Database for Filamentous Fungi Hyeyoung Lee 1, Jehyun Koo 1, Junsang Oh 2,3, Sung-ll Cho 1, Hyunjoo Lee 1, Hyun Ji Lee 1, Gi-Ho Sung 2,3,* and Jayoung Kim 1,2,* Abstract The VITEK MS PRIME (bioMérieux, Marcy-l’Étoile, France), a newly developed matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system, alongside the VITEK PICKME pen (PICKME), offers easy sample preparation for bacteria and yeasts. The VITEK MS PRIME also offers two software platforms for filamentous fungi: the IVD database and the RUO database. Our study evaluated its identification agreement on 320 clinical isolates of bacteria and yeasts, comparing PICKME and traditional wooden toothpick sampling techniques against MicroIDSys Elite (ASTA) results. Additionally, we assessed the IVD (v3.2) and SARAMIS (v4.16) RUO databases on 289 filamentous fungi against molecular sequencing. The concordance rates for species-level identification of bacteria and yeasts were about 89.4% (286/320) between the PICKME and wooden toothpick, and about 83.4–85.3% between the VITEK MS PRIME and ASTA MicroIDSys Elite. Retesting with PICKME improved concordance to 91.9%. For filamentous fungi, species-level identification reached 71.3% with the IVD database and 85.8% with RUO, which significantly enhanced basidiomycetes’ identification from 35.3% to 100%. Some strains in the IVD database, like Aspergillus versicolor, Exophiala xenobiotica, and Nannizzia gypsea, failed to be identified. The VITEK MS PRIME with PICKME offers reliable and efficient microorganism identification. For filamentous fungi, combined use of the RUO database can be beneficial, especially for basidiomycetes.]]> Tue, 23 Apr 2024 01:32:49 +0000 <![CDATA[[2022] Identification of the rare yeast Cutaneotrichosporon (Trichosporon) debeurmannianum from diabetic foot infection]]> https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jcla.24785 Date : 2022.12 Title : Identification of the rare yeast Cutaneotrichosporon (Trichosporon) debeurmannianum from diabetic foot infection In Young Yoo, Woong Heo, Joo An Kwon, Miran Lee, Yeon-Joon Park

Abstract

Background: Diabetic foot infection is the most common complications of diabetes mellitus. Although most of the diabetic foot infections has been known to be caused by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, mycotic diabetic foot infection caused by Candida species has also been reported recently. Here, we present the first case of diabetic foot infection caused by Cutaneotrichosporon debeurmannianum (previously known as Trichosporon debeurmannianum).

Methods:A 68-year-old diabetic male patient was admitted for management of the necrosis of the big toe. Wound swab culture was performed three times, and each time after 5 days of incubation, beige-colored, wrinkled, and rough colonies were observed on chocolate agar plate.

Results: The isolate was identified as C. debeurmannianum with the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry system (MicroIDSys, ASTA corp.). For confirmation, the sequencing for ITS1/ITS2 and D1/D2 ribosomal DNA was also performed, and the isolate was confirmed as C. debeurmannianum with 100% identity. The isolate exhibited low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for azoles and high MICs for all echinocandins.

Conclusion: Considering that usual incubation time for bacterial culture of open wound specimens is only 48 h, it is important to include the request for fungus culture to detect pathogen in diabetic foot lesion.

]]> Sat, 14 May 2022 02:54:29 +0000 <![CDATA[[2022] Identification of Fusobacterium Species Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time-of-Flight Mass ...]]> https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36444550/ Date : 2022.12 Title : Identification of Fusobacterium Species Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry by Updating ASTA CoreDB Shin Young Yun 1, Yunhee Lee 1, Juwon Hong 2, Dong-Chan Kim 2, Hyukmin Lee 3, Dongeun Yong 1, Yun Kyong Lim 4, Joong-Ki Kook 5, Kyungwon Lee 1 6

Abstract

Purpose: Fusobacterium species can cause infections, and associations with cancer are being increasingly reported. As their clinical significance differs, accurate identification of individual species is important. However, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry has not been found to be effective in identifying Fusobacterium species in previous studies. In this study, we aimed to improve the accuracy and efficacy of identifying Fusobacterium species in clinical laboratories.

Materials and methods: In total, 229 Fusobacterium isolates were included in this study. All isolates were identified at the species level based on nucleotide sequences of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene and/or DNA-dependent RNA polymerase β-subunit gene (rpoB). Where necessary, isolates were identified based on whole genome sequences. Among them, 47 isolates were used for updating the ASTA database, and 182 isolates were used for the validation of Fusobacterium spp. identification.

Results: Fusobacterium isolates used for validation (182/182) were correctly identified at the genus level, and most (180/182) were correctly identified at the species level using the ASTA MicroIDSys system. Most of the F. nucleatum isolates (74/75) were correctly identified at the subspecies level.

Conclusion: The updated ASTA MicroIDSys system can identify nine species of Fusobacterium and four subspecies of F. nucleatum in good agreement. This tool can be routinely used in clinical microbiology laboratories to identify Fusobacterium species and serve as a springboard for future research.

]]> Sat, 14 May 2022 02:53:43 +0000 <![CDATA[[2022] Performance Evaluation of Bruker Biotyper, ASTA MicroIDSys, and VITEK-MS and Three Extraction Methods for Filamentous...]]> https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36286489/ Date : 2022.11 Title : Performance Evaluation of Bruker Biotyper, ASTA MicroIDSys, and VITEK-MS and Three Extraction Methods for Filamentous Fungal Identification in Clinical Laboratories Yoojeong Choi # 1, Daewon Kim # 2, Kye Won Choe 1, Hyukmin Lee 3, Jae-Seok Kim 4, Jeong-Yeal Ahn 2, Mi-Kyung Lee 1

Abstract

Filamentous fungi are a major cause of life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients; thus, rapid and accurate identification is critical. Filamentous fungal identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been demonstrated with high sensitivity and reproducibility; however, its wider application has been limited in clinical laboratories because of practical challenges such as database availability or lack of standardization. In this study, we compared the performance of the Bruker Biotyper, ASTA MicroIDSys, and Vitek MS for 84 clinical filamentous fungal isolates. Moreover, the sensitivity of three independent sample preparation methods (direct, on plate, in tube) was compared. Bruker Biotyper identified 71.43% (60/84) of isolates correctly (species, genus, or complex/group level). ASTA MicroIDSys and Vitek MS showed accuracy rates of 70.24% (59/84) and 55.95% (47/84), respectively. We found that any difference in sensitivity may be attributed to the database of the systems. In addition, the "in tube" method showed the highest sensitivity among the three methods; however, there was no statistical difference among them. For the broader application of MALDI-TOF MS for filamentous fungal identification, further studies from multiple perspectives are required.

]]> Sat, 14 May 2022 02:52:58 +0000 <![CDATA[[2022] Lipid Profiles Obtained from MALDI Mass Spectrometric Imaging in Liver Cancer Metastasis Model]]> https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36337119/ Date : 2022.10 Title : Lipid Profiles Obtained from MALDI Mass Spectrometric Imaging in Liver Cancer Metastasis Model Hee Jung Kwon 1 2, Joo Yeon Oh 3, Kwang Seon Lee 3, Hyun Kyung Lim 1 2, Jisun Lee 1, Hye-Ran Yoon 1, Joohee Jung 1 2

Abstract

Liver cancer metastasis is known to be a poor prognosis and a leading cause of mortality. To overcome low therapeutic efficacy, understanding the physiological properties of liver cancer metastasis is required. However, the metastatic lesion is heterogeneous and complex. We investigate the distribution of lipids using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) in an experimental metastasis model. We obtained the differentially expressed mass peaks in comparison between normal sites and metastatic lesions. The relationship of mass to charge ratio (m/z) and intensity were measured, m/z-indicated species were analyzed by MALDI-MS/MS analysis, and identification of these mass species was confirmed using the METASPACEannotation platform and Lipid Maps®. MALDI-MSI at m/z 725.6, 734.6, 735.6, 741.6, 742.6, 744.6, 756.6, and 772.6 showed significantly higher intensity, consistent with the metastatic lesions in hematoxylin-stained tissues. Sphingomyelin SM [d18:0/16:1], phosphatidylcholine (PC) [32:0], PC [31:0], PC [31:1], and PE [36:2] were highly expressed in metastatic lesions. Our results could provide information for understanding metastatic lesions. It suggests that the found lipids could be a biomarker for the diagnosis of metastatic lesions.
]]> Sat, 14 May 2022 02:52:14 +0000 <![CDATA[[2022] Performance of a Machine Learning-Based Methicillin Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus Identification System Using ...]]> https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/10/1903 Date : 2022.09 Title : Performance of a Machine Learning-Based Methicillin Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus Identification System Using MALDI-TOF MS and Comparison of the Accuracy according to SCC mec Types
Kibum Jeon 1, Jung-Min Kim  2, Kyoohyoung Rho 3, Seung Hee Jung 2, Hyung Soon Park 3 and Jae-Seok Kim 2,*
Abstract

The prompt presumptive identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) can aid in early clinical management and infection control during routine bacterial identification procedures. This study applied a machine learning approach to MALDI-TOF peaks for the presumptive identification of MRSA and compared the accuracy according to staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types. We analyzed 194 S. aureus clinical isolates to evaluate the machine learning-based identification system (AMRQuest software, v.2.1, ASTA: Suwon, Korea), which was constructed with 359 S. aureus clinical isolates for the learning dataset. This system showed a sensitivity of 91.8%, specificity of 83.3%, and accuracy of 87.6% in distinguishing MRSA. For SCCmec II and IVA types, common MRSA types in a hospital context, the accuracy was 95.4% and 96.1%, respectively, while for the SCCmec IV type, it was 21.4%. The accuracy was 90.9% for methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. This presumptive MRSA identification system may be helpful for the management of patients before the performance of routine antimicrobial resistance testing. Further optimization of the machine learning model with more datasets could help achieve rapid identification of MRSA with less effort in routine clinical procedures using MALDI-TOF MS as an identification method.

]]> Sat, 14 May 2022 02:51:11 +0000 <![CDATA[[2022] Accuracy of ASTA MicroIDSys, a new matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry ...]]> https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35299130/ Date : 2022.05 Title : Accuracy of ASTA MicroIDSys, a new matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry system, for the identification of Korean reference and clinical bacterial and yeast strains Young Jin Ko 1, O Jin Lee 1, Seul-Bi Lee 1, Choon-Mee Kim 2, Jaehyeon Lee 3, Joong-Ki Kook 4, Soon-Nang Park 4, Jong Hee Shin 5, Soo Hyun Kim 6, Eun Jeong Won 7, Geon Park 1, Seong-Ho Kang 1, Sook-Jin Jang 8

Abstract

This study compared the accuracy of a new MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry system, ASTA MicroIDSys system, with that of MALDI Biotyper system for the identification of reference and clinical bacterial and yeast strains. The identification accuracy of the 2 systems was compared using a total of 406 strains comprising 142 aerobic and 180 anaerobic bacterial strains and 84 yeast strains. The genus and species identification rates were 98.0% and 89.4% using MicroIDSys and 96.1% and 89.4% using Biotyper, respectively. The species identification rates of MicroIDSys and Biotyper for aerobic bacteria were 93.0% and 97.2%, respectively, and those for anaerobic bacteria were 85.6% and 81.7%, respectively. The accuracy of yeast identification at the species level was 91.7% using MicroIDSys and 92.9% using Biotyper. These findings indicate that MicroIDSys could be useful for the accurate identification of bacteria and yeast in clinical microbiology laboratories.

]]> Sat, 14 May 2022 02:49:06 +0000 <![CDATA[[2022] 새로운 MALDI-TOF 시스템 ASTA MicroIDSys를 이용한 Candida auris 및 연관 균종의 동정]]> Abstract Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen emerging worldwide that is closely related to the C. haemulonii species complex. The ASTA MicroIDSys (ASTA, Korea) is a new matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system developed for species-level identification of microorganisms. However, prior to the current study, the reference database of ASTA MicroIDSys did not include C. auris. We expanded the database by adding 20 reference strains of C. auris and three closely related species belonging to C. haemulonii species complex. Further, we compared the performance of the ASTA system using an expanded database (coreDB v1.27.02) to that of the Biotyper system (Bruker Daltonics, USA) using 91 well-characterized Candida isolates from a Korean collection. In addition, we evaluated the ability of the ASTA system to differentiate between clade II and non-clade II isolates of C. auris. The results revealed that both ASTA and Biotyper systems accurately identified all 73 C. auris isolates. Of the 18 isolates of closely related species (nine C. pseudohaemulonii, seven C. haemulonii, and two C. haemulonii var. vulnera), the ASTA and Biotyper systems correctly identified 16 and 14 isolates, respectively, to the species level. Neither system misidentified any of the 91 isolates. Cluster analyses of the ASTA spectra distinctly discriminated clade II Korean C. auris isolates from the nonclade II isolates obtained from other countries. Our results show that the ASTA system with an expanded database is a reliable platform for the identification of C. auris and closely related species.]]> Sat, 23 Apr 2022 01:31:47 +0000 <![CDATA[[2022] A sensitive environmental forensic method that determines bisphenol S and A exposure within receipt-handling through..]]> https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34634704/ Date : 2022.02 Title : A sensitive environmental forensic method that determines bisphenol S and A exposure within receipt-handling through fingerprint analysis Min Jang 1, Hyemin Yang 1, Huichan Lee 1, Kwang Seon Lee 2, Joo Yeon Oh 2, Hyeonyeol Jeon 1, Yong Sik Ok 3, Sung Yeon Hwang 4, Jeyoung Park 4, Dongyeop X Oh 5 Abstract As human beings have been consistently exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS) derived from various products, the intake of BPS/BPA to humans has been extensively studied. However, using conventional biological matrices such as urine, blood, or dissected skin to detect BPS/BPA in the human body system requires longer exposure time to them, hardly defines the pollutant source of the accumulated BPS/BPA, and is often invasive. Herein, our new approach i.e. fingerprint analysis quantitatively confirms the transfer of BPS/BPA from receipts (specific pollution source) to human skin only within receipt-handling of "20 s". When receipts (fingertip region size; ~1 cm2) containing 100-300 μg of BPS or BPA are handled, 20-40 μg fingerprint-1 of BPS or BPA is transferred to human skin (fingertip). This transferred amount of BPS/BPA can still be toxic according to the toxicity test using water fleas. As a visual evidence, a fingerprint map that matches the distribution of the absorbed BPS/BPA is developed using a mass spectrometry imaging tool. This is the first study to analyze fingerprints to determine the incorporation mechanism of emerging pollutants. This study provides an efficient and non-invasive environmental forensic tool to analyze amounts and sources of hazardous substances.]]> Sat, 23 Apr 2022 01:30:05 +0000 <![CDATA[[2022] Substantial Improvement in Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Identification Using ASTA MicroIDSys Matrix-Assisted Laser ..]]> https://www.annlabmed.org/journal/ Title : Substantial Improvement in Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Identification Using ASTA MicroIDSys Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry with an Upgraded Database Junhyup Song, M.D.1, Shinyoung Yoon, M.D.1 , Yongha In, Ph.D.2, Daewon Kim, M.D.3, Hyukmin Lee, M.D.1, Dongeun Yong, M.D., Ph.D.1, and Kyoungwon Lee, M.D.1 1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; 2Department of Database Control, Nosquest Inc., Gyeonggi-do, Korea; 3Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea Abstract Identifying Mycobacterium using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is challenging. We evaluated the performance of MALDI-TOF MS in identifying nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) using the ASTA MicroIDSys system (ASTA Inc., Suwon, Korea) with the MycoDB v1.95s and upgraded MycoDB v2.0-beta databases. We tested 124 NTM isolates collected from Ogawa medium at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea, between January and April 2019. MicroIDSys scores were categorized into three groups: ≥140, reliable identification; 130–139, ambiguous identification; and <130, invalid identification. To validate the results, we used the reverse blot hybridization assay (Molecutech REBA MycoID, YD Diagnostics Corp., Korea). Initial analysis using MycoDB v1.95s resulted in 26.6% (33/124) reliable, 43.5% (54/124) ambiguous, and 29.8% (37/124) invalid identifications. Re-analysis using the upgraded MycoDB v2.0-beta database resulted in 94.4% (117/124) reliable, 4.0% (5/124) ambiguous, and 1.6% invalid (2/124) identifications. The percentage of reliable identifications that matched with the reference increased from 26.6% (33/124) with MycoDB v1.95s to 93.5% (116/124) with MycoDB v2.0-beta. The upgraded databases enable substantially improved NTM identification through deep learning in the inference algorithm and by considering more axes in the correlation analysis. MALDI-TOF MS using the upgraded database unambiguously identified most NTM species. Our study lays a foundation for applying MALDI-TOF MS for the simple and rapid identification of NTM isolated from solid media.]]> Sat, 23 Apr 2022 01:29:11 +0000 <![CDATA[[2021] Performance assessment of ASTA MicroIDSys, a new matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass ...]]> https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1348-0421.12942 일자 : 2021.12 제목 : Performance assessment of ASTA MicroIDSys, a new matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry system, for identification of viridans group streptococci O-Jin Lee, Young Jin Ko, Seul-Bi Lee, Choon Mee Kim, Sook-Jin Jang, Joong-Ki Kook, Yun Kyong Lim, Jong Hee Shin, Myung Geun Shin, Seung Jung Kee, Seok Hoon Jeong, Seong-Ho Kang, Geon Park

Abstract

The performance of the ASTA MicroIDSys system (ASTA), a new matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system, was evaluated for the identification of viridans group streptococci (VGS) and compared with the results obtained with the Bruker Biotyper system (Bruker Daltonics). A total of 106 Streptococcus reference strains belonging to 24 species from the bacterial strain bank was analyzed using the two MALDI-TOF MS systems. Of the 106 reference strains tested, ASTA MicroIDSys and Bruker Biotyper correctly identified 84.9% and 81.1% at the species level, 100% and 97.2% at the group level and 100% and 98.1% at the genus level, respectively. The difference between the two systems was not statistically significant (P = 0.289). Out of 24 species, 13 species were accurately identified to the species level with 100% accurate identification rates with both systems. The accurate identification rates at the species level of ASTA MicroIDSys and Bruker Biotyper were 100% and 87.5% for the S. anginosus group; 78.4% and 73.5% for the S. mitis group; 91.7% and 91.7% for the S. mutans group; and 100% and 100% for the S. salivarius group, respectively. The ASTA MicroIDSys showed an identification performance equivalent to that of the Bruker Biotyper for VGS. Therefore, it would be useful for the identification of VGS strains in clinical microbiology laboratories.

]]> Fri, 14 May 2021 02:25:41 +0000 <![CDATA[[2021] Clinical performance of ASTA SepsiPrep kit in direct bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility test ...]]> https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jcla.23744 Date : 2021.06 Title : Clinical performance of ASTA SepsiPrep kit in direct bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility test using MicroIDSys Elite and VITEK-2 system In Young Yoo 1, Jayho Han 1, Sung Il Ha 1, Young Jong Cha 1, Shin Dong Pil 1, Yeon-Joon Park 1

Abstract

Background: Rapid and accurate microbial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) are essential for timely use of appropriate antimicrobial agents for bloodstream infection. To shorten the time for isolating colonies from the positive blood culture, various preparation methods for direct identification using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system were developed. Here, we evaluated the SepsiPrep kit (ASTA Corp.) for direct identification of microorganisms and AST from positive blood cultures using MicroIDSys Elite MALDI-TOF MS system (ASTA Corp.) and VITEK-2 system (bioMérieux). Methods: For direct identification, a total of 124 prospective monomicrobial positive blood culture bottles were included. For direct identification, the pellet was prepared by centrifugation and washing twice. For direct AST, the pellet was suspended in 0.45% saline and adjusted to McFarland 0.5. The results from the direct identification and AST using MicroIDSys Elite and VITEK-2 system were compared to those from the conventional method performed with pure colony subcultured on agar plate. Results: Compared to the conventional method using pure colony, correct direct identification rate was 96.5% and 98.5% for 57 gram-positive isolates and 67 gram-negative isolates, respectively. For direct AST, among the 55 gram-positive isolates, the categorical agreement (CA) for staphylococci, streptococci, and enterococci was 96.7%, 98.4%, and 94.1%, respectively. For 66 gram-negative isolates, the CA for Enterobacterales and non-fermentative gram-negative rods was 99.0% and 96.6%, respectively. Conclusions: The SepsiPrep kit was easy to use combined with MicroIDSys Elite and VITEK-2 system and also, the correct identification and AST rate were very high.]]> Fri, 14 May 2021 02:24:49 +0000 <![CDATA[[2021] Comparative Evaluation of Bruker Biotyper and ASTA MicroIDSys for Species Identification in a Clinical Microbiology..]]> http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/11/9/1683 Title : Comparative Evaluation of Bruker Biotyper and ASTA MicroIDSys for Species Identification in a Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Yousun Chung1 , Min je Han 1 and Jae-Seok Kim 1,2 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul 05355, Korea 2 Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24252, Korea Abstract Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF MS) has been widely used for microbial identification, because of its speed and accuracy, since its introduction to clinical microbiology laboratories. In this study, we evaluated the performance of ASTA MicroIDSys, a newly developed MALDI–TOF, and compared it with the widely used Bruker Biotyper. Microbial identification with the Bruker Biotyper system was performed by using a direct smear method and the Bruker Biotyper database (reference library version 6.0.0.0). The isolates were also tested in parallel, using the ASTA MicroIDSys system with a direct smear method and the MicroIDSys database, CoreDB v1.26. A total of 914 clinical isolates were recovered from the clinical specimens. Identical results with confidence scores (≥2.0, for the Bruker Biotyper) and acceptable scores (≥140 for the ASTA MicroIDSys) were obtained for 840 (91.9%) isolates. The minor errors were defined as misidentification at the species level, and the rate was 1.1% (9/792) for Bruker Biotyper and 1.6% (13/792) for ASTA MicroIDSys. Major errors were defined as misidentification at the genus level, and the rate was 0.3% (2/792) for both Bruker Biotyper and ASTA MicroIDSys. ASTA MicroIDSys showed reliable performance for microbial identification, which was comparable to that of the Bruker Biotyper. Therefore, ASTA MicroIDSys can be applied for the identification of microorganisms in clinical microbiology laboratories.]]> Fri, 23 Apr 2021 01:24:22 +0000 <![CDATA[[2021] Multilaboratory Evaluation of the MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry System, MicroIDSys Elite, for the Identification of..]]> https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-020-00507-z Date : 2020.11 Title : Multilaboratory Evaluation of the MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry System, MicroIDSys Elite, for the Identification of Medically Important Filamentous Fungi Hyeyoung Lee . Junsang Oh . Gi-Ho Sung . Jehyun Koo . Min-Ha Lee . Hyun Ji Lee . Sung-Il Cho . Ji Seon Choi . Yeon-Joon Park . Jeong Hwan Shin . Hae Kyung Lee . Soo-Young Kim . Chae Hoon Lee . Young Ree Kim . Yong-Hak Sohn . Woo Jin Kim . Sook Won Ryu . Nam Yong Lee . Hee Jae Huh . Jayoung Kim Abstract With the increasing number of fungal infections and immunocompromised patients, rapid and accurate fungal identification is required in clinical microbiology laboratories. We evaluated the applicability of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system, MicroIDSys Elite (ASTA Corp., South Korea) for the identification of medically important filamentous fungi. A total of 505 strains comprising 37 genera and 90 species collected from 11 Korean hospitals were sent to the microbiology laboratory of International St. Mary’s Hospital. All isolates were tested using MicroIDSys Elite, and data were analyzed using the MoldDB v.1.22 database (ASTA). Correct identification rates were compared with the multigene sequencing results. MicroIDSys Elite correctly identified 86.5% (437/505) and 88.9% (449/505) of all tested isolates at the species and genus level, respectively. About 98.2% of Aspergillus isolates were identified at the species level, including cryptic and rare species of A. calidoustus, A. tamarii, A. lentulus, A. versicolor and A. aculeatus. MicroIDSys Elite identified 75.0% of basidiomycetes, including Schizophyllum commune, and 84.3% of the dermatophytes. It also distinguished Sprothrix globosa at the species level. The mean scores of total isolates corresponding to correct species identification were significantly higher than those obtained for genus-level identification (253.5 ± 50.7 vs. 168.6 ± 30.3, P < 0.001). MicroIDSys Elite showed high accuracy for the identification of filamentous fungi, including cryptic and rare Aspergillus species. It is suitable for use in clinical laboratories as a rapid and efficient tool for clinical mold identification. Further evaluations are recommended for MicroIDSys Elite as a rapid and efficient tool for the identification of medically important filamentous fungi.]]> Fri, 23 Apr 2021 01:23:11 +0000 <![CDATA[Completed U.S trademark rights registration]]> ASTA has completed the U.S.A trademark rights registration of 'MicroIDSys' and 'NosIDSys' for the diagnosing of infectious disease and cancer.
We highly anticipate that our efforts and technology are going to play a leading role in the worldwide diagnosis field. # ASTA Trademark Registration Status
Trademark  Rep of Korea  Europe  the U.S.A  China
 ASTA Registered Registered  In Process  -
 NosQuest Registered  -  - -
 IDSys Registered Registered Registered Registered
 MicroIDSys Registered Registered Registered Registered
 NosIDSys Registered Registered Registered Registered
 MicroID Registered  -  - Registered
 NosID Registered Registered In Process Registered
]]> Tue, 21 Jul 2020 16:24:34 +0000 <![CDATA[[2020] Potential of MALDI-TOF-based serum N-glycan analysis for the diagnosis and surveillance of breast cancer]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-76195-y Title : Potential of MALDI-TOF-based serum N-glycan analysis for the diagnosis and surveillance of breast cancer Jong Won Lee1 na1, Kyungsoo Lee2 na1,S ei Hyun Ahn1, Byung Ho Son1, Beom Seok Ko1, Hee Jeong Kim1, Il Yong Chung1, Jisun Kim1, Woochang Lee3, Myung-Su Ko4, Soojeong Choi1, Suhwan Chang5, Chung Kon Ko2, Sae Byul Lee1 &Dong-Chan Kim Abstract Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)-based serum N-glycan analysis has gained acknowledgment for the diagnosis of breast cancer in recent years. In this study, the possibilities of expanding its application for breast cancer management and surveillance were discovered and evaluated. First, a novel MALDI-TOF platform, IDsys RT, was confirmed to be effective for breast cancer analysis, showing a maximum area under the curve of 0.91. Multiple N-glycan markers were identified and validated using this process, and they were found to be applicable for differentiating recurring breast cancer samples from healthy control or ordinary breast cancer samples. Recurrence samples were especially distinct from non-recurrence samples when N-glycan signatures were sampled in multiple time points and monitored via MALDI-TOF, throughout the therapy. These results suggested the feasibility of MALDI-TOF-based N-glycan analysis for tracking the molecular signatures of breast cancer and predicting recurrence.]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2020 01:21:43 +0000 <![CDATA[[2020] Comparison of the ASTA MicroIDSys and VITEK MS matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass..]]> https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1341321X20302749 Title : Comparison of the ASTA MicroIDSys and VITEK MS matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry systems for identification of clinical bacteria and yeasts Jin Jung et al.   J Infect Chemother 26 (2020) 1328-1333

Abstract

The ASTA MicroIDSys system (ASTA, Suwon, Korea) is a newly developed Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system for identification of microorganisms. We compared the performance of the ASTA MicroIDSys system with that of the VITEK MS system (bioMérieux, Marcy l’Etoile, France) for identifying clinical microorganisms. A total 2055 isolates including 1910 bacteria and 145 yeasts were tested. Among them, the VITEK MS correctly identified 1999 (97.3%) isolates to species level and 26 (1.3%) to the genus level. The ASTA MicroIDSys correctly identified 1988 (96.7%) isolates to species level and 28 (1.4%) to the genus level. The VITEK MS and ASTA MicroIDSys misidentified one isolate and four (0.2%) isolates, respectively, and provided no identification for 29 (1.4%) and 35 (1.7%) isolates, respectively. The performance of the ASTA MicroIDSys was comparable to that of the VITEK MS for identification of clinically relevant bacterial and yeast isolates.

]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2020 01:19:39 +0000 <![CDATA[[2020] MALDI-MS analysis of disaccharide isomers using graphene oxide as MALDI matrix]]> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128356 Date : 2020.10 Title : MALDI-MS analysis of disaccharide isomers using graphene oxide as MALDI matrix Dabin Lee1, Yeoseon Kim1, Iqbal Jalaludin1, Huu-Quang Nguyen1, Minsun Kim2, Jungju Seo2, Kyoung-Soon Jang3, and Jeongkwon Kim1,4* 1Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea 2Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon, Republic of Korea 3Biomedical Omics Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju, Republic of Korea 4Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea Abstract Disaccharides are sugars composed of two monosaccharides joined by a glycosidic linkage. The specific properties of a disaccharide depend on the type of the glycosidic linkage and the identity of the two component monosaccharides. In this work, seven disaccharide isomers (gentiobiose, isomaltose, melibiose, lactose, maltose, cellobiose, and sucrose) were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) using a graphene oxide matrix. Each disaccharide was identified by its unique cleavage pattern. To determine the feasibility of quantitative analyses based on specific fragment patterns, mixtures of sucrose with cellobiose or maltose were prepared at different ratios and analyzed by MALDI-MS, where a strong linear correlation was observed between the relative peak intensity of the sucrose fragment peak at m/z 185 and the amount of sucrose in the mixture. The calibration curve was successfully applied to obtain the relative amount of maltose and sucrose in four different honey samples.]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2020 01:17:47 +0000